Couple Fundraising for Local Children

A fundraising event for local causes is always wonderful to hear about and this sporting adventure is no exception.

Dad and daughter, Ian Davies and Dani Jones, are going head-to-head to raise money for their chosen charities. Ian and his rowing partner Jim Ronaldson, Dani and husband Mark are all committed to rowing 3000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean. An unfathomable amount of rowing, but one which is an organised event for safety reasons, with the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic – 2023.

Dani Jones and her husband Mark are fundraising to make it to the start line but also for two young children from the local area, who both suffer from severe epilepsy. The boy who will benefit from the fundraising is from Bridgnorth and is cared for by a hospice there. The young girl from Oswestry is supported by the Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen and uses a full body frame.

Mark is originally from Bridgnorth and Dani is an ex-Marches pupil from Oswestry, so both wanted to help children from their hometowns. The funds raised will also go towards equipment and care to improve their quality of life. Dani and Mark met through their love of sport and believe that it is an important tool to help people from all sorts of backgrounds, both able bodied and disabled.

Dani’s Dad, Ian, is joining her on this marathon row with his teammate Jim. Ian rowed the Atlantic in 2019 as a member of the four-man crew ‘The Atlantic Mavericks’, so is no stranger to the dangerous conditions and the training needed to master the journey.

Ian said, “Our sole focus is to fundraise for our chosen charities whilst taking part in the challenge. We estimate the challenge to take us up to 60 days to complete and if we have to call for help along the way, it’s considered over for you as a team in terms of completing it unassisted. Dani and Mark are aiming for 45 days which will set a new world record for the fastest married couple to row across the Atlantic.

“We will be eating ration packs and each person needs 6000 calories per day, so that’s a lot of supplies to carry on board. We will also have equipment to make our own drinking water – obviously you can’t drink sea water as it is. The equipment for this is expensive, along with everything else and the boat. It’s all about safety and making it to the finish line together. The total cost of taking part is approximately £135k per team, which includes transporting the boats and equipment to the start and finish lines.”

The charities Ian and Jim are supporting are Myeloma UK and Papyrus. Ian suffers from Multiple Myeloma and to date has had two bone marrow transplants. Jim supports Papyrus, a charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide in young people.

So, as you can understand, the challenge is extremely important to all involved. Hours of training have been completed and with the departure date of 12 December, the pressure is on to continue the fundraising. Dani herself, has a Prolactinoma which is a benign tumour, but is determined to get through the last few months before departure and push on to the challenge.

Each team taking part has to name themselves, so Dani and Mark are ‘For Better Oar Worse’ (60 days at sea is definitely enough to test any marriage). Ian and Jim are rowing under the name Never2Late – a nod to their more senior years.

Dani’s wish is to show others that you can chase your dreams even if it seems things are going against you. You can achieve the impossible.

You can support Dani and Mark visit: gofundme.com/f/for-better-oarworse-charity-atlantic-challenge fun, active and inspiring